Step-ladder.



PATENTED AUG. 9, 1904.

G. L. BANKS.

STEP LADDER.

APPLIOATION FILED mm: 10, 1903.

H0 MODEL.

UNITED STATES Patented August 9, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE L. BANKS, OF SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TO JOSEPH A. DRAKE, OF SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA.

STEP-LADDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 767,257, dated. August 9, 1904.

Application filed une 10, 1903.

To all whom, it Indy concern.-

Be itknown that I, GEORGE L. BANKS, a citi- Zen of the United States, residing at Santa Ana, in the county of Orange and State of California, have invented a new and useful Step-Ladder, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in step-ladders, more particularly to those employed in orchards and in similar localities where the ground is uneven, and has for its object to simplify" and improve devices of this character and to produce a ladder which may be cheaply constructed, be strong and durable, and which may be readily transported and folded into small compass when not in use.

The invention consists in certain novel features of construction, as hereinafter shown and described, and specified in the claim.

In the drawings illustrative of the invention, in which corresponding parts are denoted by like designating characters, Figure 1 is a perspective view from the rear of a step-ladder with the improvements applied. Fig. 2 is a front elevation, and Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the lines 3 3 of Fig. 2, of the upper part of the ladder and its attachments.

The ladder proper is constructed with spaced side members 10 11, connected by spaced trans verse steps 12 and terminating at the upper end in a platform 13, the side members inclined outwardly toward their lower ends, as shown.

Transversely disposed through the side members 10 11, just beneath the platform 13, is a rod 14, and movably mounted upon this rod are spaced brackets 15 16, the brackets being placed to rest against the inner faces of the side members, as shown, to limit their outward movement. The free ends of the brackets extend inwardly and are connected, as by rivets or bolts 17, to the opposite sides of a leg member 18, as shown, the leg member thus extending rearwardly of and forming a support for the ladder, as shown, and free to swing upon the rod 1 1 as a center. The lower part of the leg 18 will be connected to one of the steps 12 by a cord or wire 19 to limit its rearward movement, while at the same time permitting it to be folded against the rear Serial No. 160,905. (No model.)

edges of the steps 12 when not in use, as shown in Fig. 3.

A spring will be arranged to maintain the leg 18 yieldably in its outward or operative position, and this spring is formed of a single piece of wire bent into a loop at 20, engaging the upper end of the leg 18 and coiled around the rod 14:, as at 21 22, and with the ends 23 24: in engagement with the front edge of the platform 13, as shown. By this simple means the force of the spring will be exerted to maintain the leg in its extended or operative position,

as above noted.

The ladder can be constructed of any required size and of any required material, but will preferably be of wood as light as possible, except the brackets and spring, which will be of metal, and the stop 19, which will be of cord or flexible wire.

The device will be found especially useful in orchards and similar localities, but may be employed in any locality to which it is adapted.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim is- A step-ladder comprising a step-section, a prop therefor, hinged members rigidly connected to the prop below the top thereof and diverged upwardly between the sides of the step-section, a rod carried by the sides of said step-section and loosely piercing the upper ends of the hinged members to form a pivotal connection between the latter and the stepsection, and a spring bent into substantially U shape with its side members coiled around the rod, the original bend of the wire being bent transversely downward to form a seat embracing the front side of the prop above the point of connection between the prop and the hinged members, and the ends of the spring being engaged with the next above step of the step-section.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto afiixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE L. BANKS.

Witnesses:

O. A. REID, J. H. STEWART. 

